Celtic were 1-0 winners over Hibernian at Easter Road despite Aiden McGeady's red card.

McGeady was shown a second yellow in the second-half for diving but Celtic hung on to Georgios Samaras' first-half header to make it three successive wins in the Clydesdale Bank Scottish Premier League.

Greece international Samaras nodded an Andreas Hinkel cross from the right past Hibs goalkeeper Graham Stack five minutes from the break.

Controversy came in the 62nd minute when McGeady, booked in the first half for a foul on Derek Riordan, picked up his second booking from referee Dougie McDonald after going to ground under a challenge from Hibs defender Paul Hanlon on the touchline.

The decision outraged the Celtic bench, who were similarly upset on Wednesday night in the Champions League play-offs when they had been the victim of an apparent dive by Arsenal striker Eduardo.

But despite being a man short for the closing stages, Celtic held on to join Rangers on nine points at the top of the table.

Martin Hardie delivered another blow to beleaguered Hearts manager Csaba Laszlo when his injury-time free-kick earned St Johnstone a 2-2 draw at McDairmid Park.

Hardie curled home from 20 yards soon after David Obua looked to have consigned the Saints to defeat.

Hearts had fought back through Jose Goncalves after Murray Davidson's header had given Saints a richly-deserved half-time lead.

Laszlo was the SPL's most animated manager last season but he rarely emerged from his dugout despite watching his side produce a disjointed and lethargic first-half performance. His future remains a hot topic after owner Vladimir Romanov publicly questioned his judgement by claiming none of his summer striking targets were "suitable".